Trencher

[ding2520]

Sounds like the weather forecast tomorrow should be favorable for trying out that new trencher! Don't forget to take video and pictures of the event. If you were to paint one of the paddles and run the tractor at 1500RPM with the numbers you gave us for the gearbox and sprockets you would see the paddle 3.245 times a second!

 

[jimgerken]

Video,Video,Video,Video,Video,Video,. TBN'ers everywhere are chanting!
Ding, you must've ciphered that out wrong Dude. It would self destruct at idle at that speed.

 

[Renze]

I am collecting parts for a ditcher: an angle gearbox from an old Claas drum mower, and a front wheel hub of my previous Volvo FWD car. I think i'll connect the original halfshaft with homokinetic joint to the wheel hub, and weld spades to a standard 14" rim. This way i can exchange the rim/spade set for different ditch or trench shapes, and i've got a well balanced base to start from.

By the way, why be so hard on him, he might be lacking some building experience, but you've gotta start somewhere... I had the chance to play with metal and parts as a very young kid, so my mistakes were forgiven with a smile, just a moment after my father and brothers yelled that i was an idiot...

All the people lacking the skills and guts to build anything like this, are the ones that yell loudest that this trencher will kill you, though they only start to make fun off you after they read that there are more people wondering about this project... kinda howling with the wolves in the forest...

Seriously, if you are careful and start at slow speeds, not much can happen to you because you've got a cage around the wheel.

 

[sandman2234]

I am not as concerned about it self destructing as I am it throwing something at the operator that won't bounce off.
As far as lacking the skills and guts, I think my trencher post pretty much explains what I think about that comment, without having to say anything.

Very few of us have engineering degrees, and only time and experience will teach us what will work and what won't. With all the hair-brained things I have done or built, I am just glad I have some good friends that will tell me that I might be in for a rude awakening.
I would prefer to find out I am wrong about this trencher, as there is a lot of work that goes into building one and I hate to see work wasted.
David from jax

 

[radman1]

Never have I read such negative comments about a "do it yourself project" on TBN. I thought we were a brotherhood of tractor help and enlightenment on the internet and across this great nation. The Wright Brother's had more encouragment than this. I say, pay up the life insurance, start it up at wide open throttle and immediately drop it in the ground. Then look back and laugh at all of those who said "It wouldn't fly."
PS: If the above requirements are met, I am willing to pay $50 for the exclusive video rights.

 

[MOPAULY]

By the way, why be so hard on him,

Because of a little thing called DEATH and SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. While the project looks neat it also looks quite dangerous. If that thing hits an immovable object it's going to jack the tractor up backwards until something breaks which by that time is hopefully not the operator.

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

After reading these posts I really don't know why Havoctec would post anything regarding his build when he tries it out the first time.

 

[flusher]

Thought you may like to see some pics of my latest project. It runs good but it has not been in the ground yet. The frost is not out yet and it's to sloppy out but hopefully I can try it soon.

I used a Ditch Witch 1330 to cut more than a 1000 ft of trench (18" and 24" deep, 4" wide) for conduit and water pipe around my place. I don't remember how many times I stalled that machine (11 hp Honda engine) by hitting rocks and roots. It was a lot.

I think your design is way too flimsy and that major damage is ahead the first time you hit a rock or root.

Also these simple wheel designs drop a lot of dirt into the trench so have your trench shovel handy to clean out the trench.

 

[mikeyd]

If you intend to use this trencher as it appears in the posted pics it will likey self destruct on initial impact or soon thereafter, hopefully quick enough before you get hurt. I pray that you do not try to beef it up in response to all the criticism as it will only allow it to stay together long enough to cause serious damage.

I really do admire your workmanship and willingness to try something new and different and for that you are to be commended. In all candor, please be extremely careful. No one wants to see anyone get hurt.

 

[Roto]

I think it will work on good sandy digging. Lets see this bad boy in action it will hold together

mike

 

[Renze]

As far as lacking the skills and guts, I think my trencher post pretty much explains what I think about that comment, without having to say anything.

David from jax

Maybe i didnt make myself clear enough, but the "howling with the wolves" comment wasnt directed at you... Off course it would be a shame if everybody was chanting for a video without warning him to be cautious with this mean machine, but as far as i read back, you commented for Havoctec's own good, not to ridiculise him as a person.

Because of a little thing called DEATH and SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. While the project looks neat it also looks quite dangerous. If that thing hits an immovable object it's going to jack the tractor up backwards until something breaks which by that time is hopefully not the operator.

Sorry, but that's just crap. some folks are just commenting here for their own sensation.
The cage he built around the trencher is strong enough and if it struck an immovable object and it really didnt give in, the drive chain or shaft coupling will break.

Havoctec, just give it a go ! dont feel discouraged by sensational comments

 

[MOPAULY]

I'm not commenting for the 'sensation?', and I'm sure others aren't either that have very valid safety concerns. The idea and craftsmanship are great but you still have to be careful.

 

[Havoctec]

Haven't had a chance to try it yet.

I'm not to worried about it self distructing on the initial try because I will run it in sand. Now rocks and roots??? Not so confident.

Not sure if I will get video but will definately get pics for you guys. After all these comments I wouldn't want to disapoint you guys!

I have not had time to check the site for a few days so it's not the comments that have kept me from posting. Will be at least a week before I will have a chance to try it.

 

[MrJimi]

Haven't had a chance to try it yet.

I'm not to worried about it self destructing on the initial try because I will run it in sand. Now rocks and roots??? Not so confident.

Not sure if I will get video but will definitely get pics for you guys. After all these comments I wouldn't want to disappoint you guys!

I have not had time to check the site for a few days so it's not the comments that have kept me from posting. Will be at least a week before I will have a chance to try it.

I do believe that it is our concern for you and make sure you wear protective clothing, glasses, helmet and all that stuff and I don't think it will have to be safety orange
Be careful and the best of luck to you, I have built many things that turned into lawn ornaments and my friends ask me about them and I just say,, are you ready for another adult beverage yet
And please do the video thing so we can learn
Jim

 

[Renze]

Good, good !! watching someone elses home made machinery being operated for the first time, is the most exciting thing to do... except trying out your own home made machinery

i guess we'll have to wait then...

 

[river rat]

Well, I'm gonna have to join in the chorus calling for videos, as well as a hard hat. To be honest, it looks to me like (if it doesn't tear the toplink attachment or the lower link pins off) the guard arrangement will contribute nothing more than an addition to the number of flying, twisted parts!
I hope I'm wrong, because it was obviously a lot of work, and consumed a lot of thought. Kudos to you for being willing to build it yourself, but I'm gonna be one of those watching from a distance.
Hope I'm wrong!

 

[bobodu]

Well....if it does tear the tractor apart,you can take it back to Deere and say it was "just sitting there and fell apart!"...They'd have to believe you.....

 

[Roto]

Here are the pics of the trencher after 10 seconds.

Mike

 

[toy]

Thought you may like to see some pics of my latest project. It runs good but it has not been in the ground yet. The frost is not out yet and it's to sloppy out but hopefully I can try it soon.

In the second picture it looks like the peice of metal welded on the spokes of the two spokes that goes to the hub are backwards from the others is there a reason for that. Hope it works out for you that way you can sing that song that used to be sung on the play ground , you know the one na nana na na but in either case be careful. I don't think you will be sumping it up all at once but instead you will plung it gradually right? Another thing the Wright brothers probably had unsuccessful attempts before they were successful, I guess the saying if at first you don't succeed try try and try again. Good luck.

 

[eaglej]

Good luck- hopefully it doesn't end like this.

J